• Email this Page

Truly "Treating" Myself

Traveling always feels like a special occasion. And, since my routine is already broken, I think of it as a chance to treat myself.

I'm going to visit my family in Nebraska for Easter next weekend. Until very recently, "treating myself" on this trip would have translated to eating a massive bearclaw donut from the airport bakery case. And oh! Some kind of jumbo specialty mocha. It's Easter, so the coffee stand at the airport will probably have some kind of spring-themed coffee drink. Maybe one with Peeps floating on top. Then on the plane, what the heck, I would have a soda on top of that huge Peeps mocha. Because it was complimentary, and how often do you get offered complimentary soda?

I would think I was "splurging" on these special things to be nice to myself, but then I would feel kind of greasy and overfull and sugar-jittery the rest of my travel day, and by the time I arrived where I was going I would be tired and cranky and I would conclude that air travel really didn't agree with me.

It feels like such a mature realization to come to: I'd truly rather buy a piece of fruit from the coffee stand and order my regular small coffee with cream. And I rather drink water instead of free soda from the beverage cart. I know: How boring! But when I travel this way, I arrive where I'm going feeling energetic and happy, and like my normal self. Air travel agrees with me just fine.

I'm trying to train my mind to catch up with my body when with comes to the subject of "treating myself." I'm trying to associate the word "indulge" with things like going to bed early to catch up on sleep, or taking a break from work for a walk when it's beautiful outside... not just things like eating a pint of ice cream.

-Brigitte

Rate this article

Average Rating: 4.2 (29 votes)

Comments

Mike Wednesday, March 24, 2010

I had this same revelation recently -- "treating yourself" doesn't necessarily mean overindulging. Sometimes it just means doing what feels most right.

Osmyn Wednesday, March 24, 2010

My last trip I convinced myself to eat a veggie platter with water on a layover instead of Pizza Hut Pepperoni Pizza and soda and I felt much better for it.

I also have to protect my mood in airports by copious use of headphones. Little things like hearing the inevitable cell phone conversation, "Hi, it's me. Yah, we just landed.." make me bristle. You just know someone is going to do it and its painful waiting for it, then grating when it happens.

Shelly Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Flying back from Russia last year I was upgraded to first class (from economy) and I took full advantage of all the extras that it had to offer .... because realistically I will never be in the section that is in front of those mysterious curtains ever again!! And I was happy, so very happy

Joe436 Thursday, March 25, 2010

I'm still waiting for them to invent those transporter things from Star Trek. Then I'll travel to meet people I moved very far to get away from.

Blargal Thursday, March 25, 2010

Hello,Brigitte.
What ever you do as your new norm,is treating yourself. You have realized how one form of "treat" has not had good results later. So,now, you are adjusting to get maximum "treatage" out of a new idea.

Do you have a comment? We'd love to hear what you think!

Do you have a question that we haven’t answered yet in About SAM-e? If so, please Ask Us a Question.
Comment Policy

We value your comment. Please see our comment policy for more details on our guidelines for commenting.